The Collegiate Church of Holy Trinity, Stratford-upon-Avon

Activities and Groups at Holy Trinity

Growing Together - Lent Term 2012

The Growing Together programme provides numerous opportunities for members of the parish to explore and deepen their faith. The Growing Together programme includes special one-off events, training days, short courses and housegroups. These are some of the activities that take place in the programme:

Home Groups

Find it hard to feel like you belong in such a big church? Then why not join a house group where you can get to know people better. The groups meet for discussion, bible study, prayer and socializing throughout term time.

Bridgetown Group Thurs nights Graham Hopkins 268 455

Welcombe Group, Tues nights Graham Wilcox 551 759

Old Town Group Mon nights Val and Keith Payne 720 490

Enquiries about house groups can be made to The Revd Stuart Labran 01789 268 836

Retreat in Daily Life Ash Wednesday Quiet Day

Want to spend a day in quiet reflection and prayer? Margaret Sweet will be leading a quiet day in church on February 22nd. It will begin at 10am and will include a lunchtime Eucharist. It should be a great day of refreshment for those who come.

Academy

Academy is a new series of basic introductions to academic theology. It is designed to be accessible and interesting for those who enjoy thinking, regardless of academic background. This terms talks will be lead by The Revd. Stuart Labran and will look at the Philosophy of Religion. You don't have to commit to all four sessions but can come to any session.

A Basic Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion

Tuesdays 7:15-8:15pm in the Parish Centre Lounge

17 Jan: Traditional philosophical arguments for Gods existence The Cosmological and Teleological Argument from St Thomas Aquinas and William Paley

24 Jan: The Ontological Argument from St Anselm and Descartes

31 Jan: Is religious language meaningless? The challenge of Logical Positivism and Falsificationism

7 Feb: Can limited human language speak of The Divine? Religious language as Analogy and Metaphor. Realism and Anti-Realism.

Encounter Sacred Space : an Ecumenical Lent Course

Led by The Revd. Martin Gorick and Pioneer Lay Minister Rachel Saum. Session 1 will explore the concept of Sabbath in scripture and what this might mean today in our fast moving 24/7 world. The next four sessions will give opportunities to encounter the living God through sense and stillness. Monday evenings 7.30-9pm in Holy Trinity from 27 February to 26^th March.

Novel Theology

This group meets once a month to discuss theological themes and significance within novels. This terms books are:

5 January Aldous Huxley, Brave New World

2 February George Orwell, 1984

1 March Evelyn Waugh, Vile Bodies

Always happy for new members to join them, please contact Anthony Woollard for details of meeting times: 204 923

Central Prayer Meeting

A time of silence and prayer on the first Wednesday of every month from 8.00pm to 9.00pm in Holy Trinity Church.

Exploring Scripture

An informal and relaxed opportunity to explore the bible together with plenty of time for questions and discussion.

It will be lead by The Revd Martin Gorick on Tuesdays 11-12am in the Parish Centre 21 Feb 20 March.

Childrens Activities

Trinity Tots Pre-School Group. This fun and relaxed group for parents/carers and their children meets on Thursdays 1.45-3pm at the Parish centre during term time. Contact the Revd. Neville Beamer for details, Tel: 01789 263435.

Junior Church and creche. Lots of fun activities are organised by our committed team to help primary school children worship and learn about God in a way that engages them during the 10.30am Parish Communion. Children leave during the first hymn and return in time for communion. Contact Lynne Sumners for details. Tel. 552277

Youth Activities

Trinity Teens is for school years 7-11. Games, activities and space to hang out 2^nd and 4^th Sundays 7:15-8:30pm Parish Centre

Soul Space is for school years 10-13. Time for discussion, reflection on life and faith, hanging out and prayer. 1^st 3^rd and 5^th Sundays 7:15-8:30pm at the Parish Centre.

Lifebuilders 4:30-5:30 Wednesday, yr7-9 weekly during term time. An opportunity for games, discussion and learning more about the Christian faith. This term, confirmation preparation will also take place during this session.

For further details:

Facebook: 'Shakespeare's Church'. Click 'Like' and regular updates will come to you.

Website: www.stratford-upon-avon.org

Email : office@stratford-upon-avon.org

Phone: 01789-266316

Start! - This six session course exploring the central beliefs of the Christian faith. For more information please have a word with any of the parish clergy.

Faith in Film

The opportunity to watch a blockbuster movie followed by a discussion on some of the themes relating life and faith raised by the film.

Leading your Church into Growth

Leading your Church into Growth (LYCIG) is a training programme which takes the mystery out of church growth and makes it 'normal' and do-able. LYCIG forms the heart of our parish strategy for growth.

LYCIG has been designed for clergy and lay leaders from across different traditions and denominations who are looking for help and encouragement in leading their churches into growth. The LYCIG programme includes 4 day residential courses, one day training days and small group study courses. The core training material takes the form of an open seminar with interactive talks, practical exercises and time and space for personal reflection. "The most valuable training we've ever done", is a typical comment from a delegate attending the course.

Welcome Programme

It's always a delight to welcome new members into the life of the church. To help people feel at home with us we offer a number steps to our welcome programme.

Obviously each person is different and we want people to feel there way into the life of the church in a way that best suits them. As part of a our welcome programme we are very happy to supply a welcome pack with some introductory information about the town and the Church.

Every three months we run a welcome lunch with an invitation to all new members of the church to share in an informal social gathering with members of the church's welcome team. For an invitation or further information, contact the Parish Office sending your name and contact address.

We also run regular programme of welcome teas in Holy Trinity Church. The Welcome teas provide an opportunity to have a short guided tour of the church, to find out more about the life of the church and its various groups and activities and of course to enjoy some refreshments together.

If you are coming as a visitor to Holy Trinity, do let us know as we will look out for you. There is usually at least one of the Welcome Team at every service, so do come and say "Hello" and write your name in the Visitors Book.

Stratford Schools ministry

Holy Trinity Church supports a group of parishioners, "the Jesus people", who have been invited into local primary schools to give Bible-based assemblies 5 times per half term. Drama, music, puppets and story-telling all have their part in the repertoire. The writer to the Hebrews says, "The Word of God is alive and active ...." - and the aim of the team members is to live it out in their ministry.

Lay Chaplains

On Mondays, 1.30-3.30pm, and Wednesday, 10.00am-12noon and 1.30-3.30pm, with Holy Trinity Church, subject to special services, the lay chaplains offer a Christian listening ministry open to all.

If it would help someone to help about their situation; their own or family health problems; bereavement; faith issues; or anything else that is troubling them, no appointment is needed, just turn up within these times.

This is not counselling but a friendly 'ear', time, and, if wanted, prayer.

The lay chaplains

Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon